RAGBRAI is a hoot! Iowa was built for tandems as well. :-) My family and I rode it on our single bikes a few years back and I would love to go back again and do it. Other "events" have been getting in the way lately though. Do you know if you are going with a group? Are you camping? I brought the motorhome which was awesome. You can also arrange to camp in the locals yards or even in rooms of their homes. There are lots of options. Plan on eating, a lot! it's mandatory to stop in each and every town to partake of the local cuisine. It's basically a rolling party. Bring candy to throw to the local kids as you pass by. If you have kids you need to be a little careful of where you go. Some of the parties are quite adult! Most of all, plan on having a blast!

Did it on singles last year.....we were so inspired by all the families and tandems that we just bought a co-motion for our 6 year old and dad so that we can do multi-day rides in other states as a family....

You MUST EAT PIE. and Homeyba is correct, it is a rolling party. The route last year was southern, and it ISN"T flat. I've heard the northern routes are much flatter. We lucked out with weather, it was cool the whole week. Sorta made up for the hills. RAGBRAI has it's own forums, it was fun to participate in them and then meet some of the regulars face to face during the ride.

88txaggie is correct, southern iowa is anything but flat. fortunately, RAGBRAI is in the northern part of the state this year. they say its one of the shorter, flatter, routes ever. i may ride it fixed gear this year. its a great time. i started doing partial days at about age 11 (on a single) and worked my way up from there. its basically like chasing a moving state fair on your bike.